Heat wave set to intensify

Already touching new highs on the thermometer, Delhi is all set to get hotter still. The weatherman has forecast an intensification of the heat wave that has been prevalent in the Capital since Saturday. In fact, the heat wave may only abate after reaching its peak by Friday.

“An approaching western disturbance is likely to break the anticyclone over the region and moderate the intensity of the hot air advection, thereby reducing the maximum temperature by about 2 degrees Celsius from May 26 onwards,” said a statement from the Delhi Regional Meteorological Centre, adding that “absence of western disturbance activity, strong hot north-westerly winds and subsidence of air due to the anticyclone over the region, have caused this type of prolonged heat wave spell of more than one week.”

Meanwhile, citizens and visitors to the city will have to continue to reel under the intense heat. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was 44.9 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal, and the minimum was 30.3 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal.

Thursday promises to be even hotter with the India Metrological Department forecasting a maximum temperature of 45 degrees and a minimum of 31 degrees Celsius.